Watee



p of its upper surface.

. structed so as to receive the power of the buckets may receive thefull power of the Specification of Letters latent N To all whom it mayconcern:

Be it known that I, JAMES REED, of Newville, in Richland county andState of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inlVater-lVheels; and I do hereby declare that the following is a true,full, and exact description of the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which are a part of-this specification.

Figure l is a sectional view of a hub of a water wheel, having bucketslike those used in my improvements. Fig. 2 is a top or E plan view of awheel having such buckets. Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of one of myimproved water wheels, in connection with a chamber, into which thewater that moves the wheel passes. Fig. & is a sectional view of a crosssection of one of the buckets of my improved wheel, showing theconvexity To remedy the deficiencies I have observed in the water wheelsnow in use, I have ascertained, from actual experiment, that waterwheels to be most efficient, should be conwater when applied. agreeablyto its most efficient law, upon a surface of such a character as toreceive the greatest efiect from it, when thus applied.

My invention consists in the construction, and application of aneccentrically spiral and convex bucket, to the hub, or shaft of thewheel, saidshaft having a vertical, or nearly vertical position, inorder that the water when applied agreeably to its most eflicient law.

The bucket used in my improvement descends spirally, from its upperterminus, in nearly the same degree for about three fifths of itslength, whence it descends, spirally, much more rapidly to the point atwhich the water issues from the wheel. I contemplate using only two suchbuckets on my improved wheel, and their respective ends fail to meet, onthe hub, or shaft of the wheel, by the space of an inch, more or less. Iplace a band around the periphery of this wheel, of the width of thespace, or width on the hub thereof, covered by the buckets. I apply thewater to my wheel according to the hydrostatic rule, or principle of itsaction, by conveying it, through a proper or convenient conduit, into acham- PATENT FFICE.

@NEWVILLE, onio.

WHEEL.

ber, of the exterior shape, and annexed to 9. 31,739, dated March 19,1861.

the band, or rim of the wheel, and of any convenient height. Saidchamber may extend above the point, on it, at which the water is letinto it, and the hydrostatic pressure, therefore will be greater or lessas the water is high or low in the chamber, or if the chamber be only ofa fixed height, the power will be greater or less as the elevation ofthe water above the chamber, is greater or less in the flume orreservoir from which it is conducted to the chamber.

As the principle of thepower of the pressure of water, whenhydrostatically applied is well settled as a scientific fact, any remarkupon it will not be needful in this specification. It will be remarked,however, that it has been shown, by experiment, that my wheel, on atrial in comparison with other wheels of the character set forth in mydisclaimer was more efficient under equal circumstances.

The letter A, Fig. 1, represents the character, shape, and position, onthe shaft, or hub of the wheel, of the bucket in my improved waterwheel, which in its downward inclination, is spiral to a certain degreefor about threefifths of its length, whence it descends, spirally, morerapidly to its end at which the water flows from the wheel. The ends ofthe buckets are brought to an edge, or nearly so, and the lower side ofthe bucket is of a smooth surface, and nearly conforms in shape to theupper side. I have constructed my bucket of this form, for the purposeof securing the power of the hydrostatic pressure upon the whole surfaceof the bucket; and at the same time have provided by the more rapiddescent of the lower part of the bucket, to receive the side pressure ofthe water against the bucket, in the line of its motion.

The letter B, represents a chamber, drawn in red ink, for the receptionof a column of water by the hydrostatic pressure of which my wheel is tobe moved, and which may be carried to any convenient height. It is to beof the exterior shape, and diameter of my Wheel, and is to be placed onor over it in such a manner as will permit a free revolution of thewheel, which is represented in black ink, as on its shaft, or spindle,and standing on the block, in red ink, marked D, Fig. 8.

I am aware that water wheels, with buckets spiral and concave and planospiral have been used before the date of my applicaacter above stated,in combination with a 10 tion; and I therefore disclaim each and allcircular chamber for the purpose set forth of them; but andsubstantially as described.

WVhat I claim as new, and of my inven- In testimony of Which invention,I here- 5 tion is, unto set my hand.

1. A plano convex spiral bucket, for- Wa- JAMES REED. ter Wheels, as setforth, and substantially as Witnesses: described. MARTIN A. HOWELL, Jr.,

2. A bucket for water Wheels, of the char- O. S. X. PEoK.

